Message from our March 21, 2013 Meeting

Posted 
on Mar 21, 2013
 

 

 

So today:

  • Scott was back, Carole was our guest speaker, and there were lots of Happy Bucks!
  • With Scott back, the golf tourney push is back to the front burner...and fortunately Robin had a keen player to register!  Time to work on sponsors!
  • Carole spoke to us about her day at the Rotary Peace Symposium on March 2.  The day far exceeded Carole's expectations - a well run program with great speakers. The symposium was set up to take advantage of the fact that Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka was in town for the Toronto Rotary Club's 100th Anniversary Luncheon and built on, or followed, President Tanaka's "Peace Through Service" theme for the year.  Carole was amazed at the turnout, plenary sessions and break-out groups.  One of the breakout groups Carole attended was the landmines one - which was packed.  The day was professionally run with the CBC's Suhana Meharchand donating her time and introducing speakers like Marc Kielberger from "Free the Children".  Marc also received the Wilf Wilkinson award.  (For an example of one of Marc's YouTube clips, but not necessarily the one shown at the Peace Symposium, click here.)  Borrowing from the District site here were the honoured guests at the symposium: 
    • Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, "The Gaza Doctor" & the author of I Shall Not Hate 
    • Raseema Alam, a Rotary Peace scholar, Canada's former Polio Manager in Afghanistan and former Canadian Diplomat with over 15 years of experience in developing countries.
    • The Hon. Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, Government of Canada
    • Marc Kielburger, Co-Founder of Free the Children, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Me to We
    • Dr. Bob Scott, a leader in Rotary’s battle against polio
    • Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada
    • Wilfred Wilkinson, Past President of Rotary International 
    • Suhana Meharchand, host CBC News Now and our Master of Ceremonies.
While a one-off symposium, Carole would like to see more Rotary events like this one.  Thanks Carole!
  • Happy Bucks:
    • Suzanne M. - a bunch of bucks for: her Gold Award, recent Shakespeare-in-Action experiences, her excitement and wee bit of trepidation at being our incoming club president but looking forward to P.E.T.S. training in Chicago and the opportunity for personal and professional growth and fun!.
    • Scott - a couple of bucks for: being back and a new knee; and,
    • Robin for her hair colour transformation and working out with colleague.
  • Don won the draw but not the pot while Scott shed a tear for Don.